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The Bulwark

The Bulwark

The Bulwark is home to Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, Bill Kristol, JVL, Sam Stein, Catherine Rampell and more. We are the largest pro-democracy bundle on Substack for news and analysis on politics and culture—supported by a community built on good faith.

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Episodes 169

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  • Yesterday · 7 min

    Ben Shapiro’s Grotesque Anti-Muslim Movie

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Sam Stein and Will Sommer give their takes to The Daily Wire’s bizarre new movie, Run Hide Fight: Infidels. They dig into the film’s deeply anti-Muslim premise, its portrayal of liberals, LGBTQ students and campus progressives, and the strange political fantasy at the center of the story.Will explains the chaotic plot and bizarre characters to Jonathan Majors’ surprisingly limited role, despite the over-sized marketing. Plus, they discuss the Daily Wire’s response to Will’s review and the wildest moments from the film.

  • Yesterday · 5 min

    Wright Thompson and Jesse Lehrich: Hopium and Hate

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Republicans are reeling, the vibes are shifting, and the wave is building. Jesse serves up a particularly optimistic view of the Democrats’ chances in the midterms, with even stretch districts now in play. And ahead of Saturday’s Ole Miss-LSU game, Wright shares how Mississippians are responding to the gutting of the Voting Rights Act and says that conservative farmers in the state are turning on MAGA. Plus, the love of a father and Ole Miss football, some Magnolia Bowl lore, why 1956 is the linchpin year in college sports history, and predicting the hate ratio on Saturday in Oxford. Wright Thompson and Jesse Lehrich join Tim Miller. show notes: * Wright’s books, including “The Barn” and “The Cost of These Dreams” * Wright’s ESPN piece on Friday will post here * Jesse’s “Nobody Knows Anything” podcast * “Nobody’s Listening,” Jesse’s newsletter * Campaign site for Eliott Rodriguez, Maria Elvira Salazar’s opponent * Erick Erickson piece Tim mentioned * The Bulwark's campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield * The Bulwark Store Bulwark LIVE: Benefit for SpringfieldSome moments require you to step up. Some require you to show up. That’s why The Bulwark is coming to Ohio. Join Tim, Sarah, JVL, Sam and friends Friday, September 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center for an evening of politics and fellowship. All profits from this event will be donated to those in Springfield who are in need. As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.

  • Yesterday · 35 min

    BREAKING: Trump Threatens Kennedy Center Demolition If His Name Isn’t On It

    Trump is threatening the future of the Kennedy Center if he doesn’t get the recognition he wants. Andrew Egger and George Conway give their takes on Trump’s push to put his name on the institution, his talk of demolishing the building, and the surreal image of Trump looking at a mock-up of the Kennedy Center in ruins.They also discuss the growing clash between the Trump administration and the courts, the administration’s conflicting claims about the Kennedy Center’s closure, and why the courts alone may not be enough to check presidential power. Plus, Conway explains why Congress ultimately has to reassert its authority to investigate, supervise, and hold the administration accountable. Help fight back against the MAGA chaos machine. Share our brand of honest news, smart analysis and good faith. 🔄 RestackFollow and share on your socials:X/Twitter | Facebook | Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | Reddit This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

  • Yesterday · 8 min

    Kash Patel’s Eyebrow Has Gone Rogue | The Trio

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Tim Miller, Sam Stein and Will Sommer take on a bizarre collection of stories from MAGA and the Republican Party, including Milo Yiannopoulos’ messy divorce, a GOP nominee’s ties to the Unite the Right rally, Victor Marx’s latest campaign controversies and a Republican candidate who fell for a fake Kai Trump account.Plus, the trio breaks down Kash Patel’s contentious hearing and his eyebrow-raising FBI spending, before meeting a Republican congressional candidate with a 20-song Trump rap album.

  • Wednesday · 5 min

    Trump’s Gas Price Problem Is About to Get Much, Much Worse (w/ GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan)

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Gas prices are surging and this time, the outlook is getting even uglier. Tim Miller is joined by Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, to break down why oil prices are climbing, why diesel prices are hitting record levels, and why Americans could be facing $7 and $8 diesel this winter.De Haan explains how the escalating conflict in the Middle East, attacks on Russian refineries, tight diesel inventories, and refinery disruptions are squeezing the global fuel market. Forty-two states are already seeing record diesel prices, while the national gas average is creeping back toward this year’s high.With refineries operating at nearly 98% capacity and diesel inventories 15% below their five-year average, De Haan warns there is very little room for another disruption, especially heading into winter. And despite talk of prices coming down after the midterms, he says there’s no magic date when the underlying problems simply disappear. Watch, listen and leave a comment.

  • Wednesday · 11 min

    Catherine Rampell and Stephen Witt: Can We Avert Economic Disaster and the Robot Apocalypse?

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com The Fed raised interest rates to curb inflation, as expected, but mortgage rates are surging and flailing Scott Bessent remains the treasury secretary. Meanwhile, the alarm raised in the AI community is not an op despite the backlash from people like Nvidia's Jensen Huang, who seems to get everything he wants from Donald Trump. Plus, the Europeans who once parked their gold in the US to hide it from the Nazis are now trying to protect it from Trump. Catherine Rampell and Stephen Witt join Tim Miller. show notes: * Catherine’s “Receipts” podcast premiering Friday * Stephen’s “This Is Really Bad” piece in the NYT * Stephen's "The Thinking Machine," about Nvidia and Jensen Huang * The latest episode of “The Next Level” * Dan Selsam’s statement on Twitter that Tim read from * “If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies,” the book Stephen mentioned * Huang’s “impromptu” phone call with Trump * The Bulwark's campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield * The Bulwark Store Bulwark LIVE: Benefit for SpringfieldSome moments require you to step up. Some require you to show up. That’s why The Bulwark is coming to Ohio. Join Tim, Sarah, JVL, Sam and friends Friday, September 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center for an evening of politics and fellowship. All profits from this event will be donated to those in Springfield who are in need. As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.

  • Wednesday · 9 min

    Command Post: Iran Is Doing More Damage to the U.S. Military Than We Knew

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on the rapidly expanding Iran war, from attacks on U.S. military installations and disruptions to oil supplies to the growing conflict with the Houthis and the strain on American forces across the Middle East. They discuss the potential economic consequences, including the estimated $38 billi…

  • Wednesday · 7 min

    BREAKING: JD Vance Privately Advised Hillary Clinton's Campaign in 2016

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Sam Stein is joined by Chris Whipple, who wrote in Vanity Fair about the remarkable political transformation of J.D. Vance, from a young Trump critic at Yale Law School to Trump’s vice president and a potential MAGA successor. They dig into Vance’s behind-the-scenes efforts in 2016 to help Hillary Clinton defeat Trump and examine what drove his dramatic reversal. Was Vance always destined for MAGA, or did something change along the way?Plus, Chris shares what Susie Wiles told him about Vance’s evolution and why she viewed his transformation differently from other Republican politicians. A quick note: The Bulwark is a place where the people making news—and the reporters breaking it—can sit down for conversations that go well beyond the headline. Bulwark+ make it possible for us to keep bringing those voices directly to you and give them the time and space to tell the stories behind the news. A quick thank you: The Bulwark is a place where the people making news—and the reporters breaking it—can sit down for conversations that go well beyond the headline. Bulwark+ members like you make it possible for us to keep bringing those voices directly to you and give them the time and space to tell the stories behind the news.

  • Tuesday · 17 min

    Thomas Massie Has a Nasty Surprise for Pete Hegseth

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com JVL's on the west coast for Sarah's book event, and he, Tim, and Andrew Egger discuss Mitch McConnell's triumphant (?) return to the Senate, Donald Trump casually floating conspiracy theories over the Butler, PA assassination attempt, and Thomas Massie's articles of impeachment against Pete Hegseth. Then, they turn their attention to a New York Times poll with some GREAT news for Democrats in the midterms (with the exception of one issue: AI). They discuss the developments from the world of AI in the last week and how our political leaders should respond. Then: Is Gavin Newsom really thinking about NOT running for president? There's a really, really, REALLY racist Republican running for Texas railroad commission, and Tim debriefs on a rather contentious interview he did on the Bulwark Daily. Watch, listen, and leave a comment. Show links: * Read JVL’s Monday and Tuesday Triads on the AI race, and how our political leaders can respond. * Get your tickets for our September 25 show in Dayton, Ohio to benefit the Springfield, OH Haitian community. * Get your copy of How to Eat an Elephant, Sarah’s first book! This ad-free video version of The Next Level is exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

  • Tuesday · 14 min

    Even George Conway Wasn’t Ready for Kash Patel’s Senate Hearing

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Trump is raging at the Supreme Court after his own appointees helped block his administration’s mail-ballot rules, and George Conway joins Sam Stein to discuss the ruling, Trump’s extraordinary attack on the justices he picked, and what could come next as the midterms approach. Then things take a sharp turn as they watch Kash Patel try to explain one of the strangest—and grossest—FBI controversies you’re ever likely to hear discussed in a Senate hearing. Bulwark LIVE Benefit for Springfield: Some moments require you to step up. Some require you to show up. That’s why The Bulwark is coming to Ohio. Join Tim, Sarah, JVL, Sam and friends Friday, September 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center for an evening of politics and fellowship. All profits from this event will be donated to those in Springfield who are in need through our partners at the Haitian Community Help and Support Center. Donate here. Watch, listen and leave a comment.

  • Tuesday · 15 min

    Jonathan Swan: We Only Know 5%

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com The co-author of the signature book inside Trump 2.0 says the media only knows 5% of what is happening inside the administration—particularly when it comes to national security, the money-making, and the self-dealing. Jonathan does have new reporting about how the administration keeps pretending that our military is not running low on long-range missiles. In reality, the war is costing us a month's worth of Patriots almost every day. Plus: Stephen Miller has become the White House's resident kingmaker, why Trump is turbocharged on AI, and some contentious moments when Tim and Jonathan discuss how to characterize JD's divergent private and public posturing on the war.Jonathan Swan joins Tim Miller. show notes: * Jonathan’s “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump” * The Bulwark’s campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield Bulwark LIVE: Benefit for SpringfieldSome moments require you to step up. Some require you to show up. That’s why The Bulwark is coming to Ohio. Join Tim, Sarah, JVL, Sam and friends Friday, September 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center for an evening of politics and fellowship. All profits from this event will be donated to those in Springfield who are in need. As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members. Tim Miller’s Bulwark Daily is available wherever you get podcasts and on YouTube. New shows drop each weekday afternoon. If you like the show, leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐ wherever you listen. Add The Bulwark Daily to your player of choice, here.

  • Tuesday · 19 min

    Morning Shots: New Poll Shows Major Democratic Lead Ahead of Midterms

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Bill Kristol and guest host Ben Parker break down the latest New York Times/Siena polling showing Democrats with a significant advantage on the generic congressional ballot heading into the midterms. They discuss why Democrats are now leading Republicans on the economy, cost of living, immigration, and foreign wars. They also examine the growing politic…

  • Tuesday · 6 min

    Republicans’ “Anti-Communist” Obsession Backfires Spectacularly

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Republicans spent their midterm convention warning that communists are coming for America. Will Saletan runs their own definition of “communism” against Donald Trump’s promises of $5,000 checks, government stakes in private companies, admiration for China, and even his jokes about being “the greatest communist in history”—and finds the GOP’s argument collapsing under its own weight.

  • Tuesday · 31 min

    BREAKING: Supreme Court REJECTS Trump's Mail-In Ballot Restrictions

    Sam Stein and Andrew Egger cover the breaking news that the Supreme Court has blocked Trump's executive order on mail-in ballots. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

  • Monday · 7 min

    Kennedy Center’s Bizarre Documents Are Pure Trumpian Madness

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Catherine Rampell and Andrew Egger take on the pure Trumpian madness engulfing the Kennedy Center, which could close as early as Tuesday after Trump’s takeover drove away donors, performers, and audiences. Now his handpicked board says Trump may be the only person who can “rescue” it—and has laid out ten different (insane) ways the institution could honor him in return.Fall Show Tickets: thebulwark.com/events

  • Monday · 11 min

    Bill Kristol: It Always Comes Back to Trump/Russia

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com A Putin bestie who's involved with the kidnapping of Ukrainian children bankrolled Don Jr.'s island wedding for some mysterious reason. Kushner is calling on Ukraine to give in to Putin's territorial demands. And Trump himself is blaming Zelensky for the high cost of diesel even though prices shot up after Trump launched his war of choice. It's the whole Trump family that tends to remind us of their close ties to Russia, Russia, Russia. Meanwhile, POTUS is not troubled by China's involvement with the death of U.S. soldiers in the Mideast. Plus: Adam Hamilton in Kansas was on fire in his debate with Roger Marshall, the list of horrible Republican candidates keeps growing, and the fears about AI have broken wide open. Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller. show notes: * ProPublica on the Russian oligarch bankrolling Don Jr.'s wedding * The Bulwark's campaign to help the Haitian community of Springfield * Tim's 'Take' on the debate between Mary Peltola and Dan Sullivan * Bill in "Morning Shots" on AI fears * The NYT on Roger Marshall suing patients for debts * The Trio 'Take' on Brandon Herrera * The Bulwark Store Bulwark LIVE: Benefit for SpringfieldSome moments require you to step up. Some require you to show up. That’s why The Bulwark is coming to Ohio. Join Tim, Sarah, JVL, Sam and friends Friday, September 25 at the Dayton Masonic Center for an evening of politics and fellowship. All profits from this event will be donated to those in Springfield who are in need. TheBulwark.com/events As always: Watch, listen, hit the like button or leave a comment. We want to hear from you. Ad-free editions of The Bulwark Daily are available exclusively for Bulwark+ members.

  • Monday · 5 min

    BOMBSHELL: Russian Oligarch Bankrolled Don Jr.’s Wedding

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Marc Polymeropoulos and Michael Weiss give their takes on the ProPublica report that a Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin secretly bankrolled Donald Trump Jr.’s lavish Bahamas wedding. They examine the counterintelligence implications of a Putin-connected figure giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to the president’s son, including the potential for leverage, access, compromise and influence inside Trump’s inner circle. A quick note: We know Russian counterintelligence isn’t exactly algorithm bait. But when a story like this breaks, we want to be able to call up people who have spent their careers in this world and give them the time to explain what everyone else is missing. Bulwark+ members make that kind of work possible: not just chasing the biggest audience, but putting real expertise behind stories that deserve serious attention. A quick note: We know Russian counterintelligence isn’t exactly algorithm bait. But when a story like this breaks, we want to be able to call up people who have spent their careers in this world and give them the time to explain what everyone else is missing. Help us grow by sharing this video with someone who likes to go deep, understand more, and hear real expertise. They also discuss the oligarch’s connections to Russian ultra-nationalist groups and the war in Ukraine, including ties to an organization accused of helping abduct Ukrainian children. Plus, Mark and Michael explore what the FBI, Congress and national security-minded Republicans should do with the revelations and why the growing normalization of Russian influence could pose an even bigger threat.

  • Monday · 5 min

    MAGA Mondays: Trump’s Handpicked Prosecutor QUITS After Just Five Months

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Sam Stein and Will Sommer dig into the bombshell ProPublica report that a Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin secretly bankrolled Donald Trump Jr.’s lavish Bahamas wedding. Then, they take a critical look at 60 Minutes’ investigation into the booming business of lobbying for presidential pardons, including its undercover sting of Jacob Wohl and Jac…

  • Monday · 9 min

    Watch Mike Johnson Squirm Over Trump’s $5,000 Bribe

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Sam Stein and Will Saletan take on Mike Johnson’s defense of Republican congressional candidate Brandon Herrera despite the gun YouTuber’s grotesque comments about women and children—and the stark contrast with how Democrats police their own candidates. They also dissect Donald Trump’s proposed $5,000 payout if Republicans retain Congress, then debate the administration’s lack of urgency as AI insiders warn of catastrophic risks and Johnson invokes competition with China to resist rapid regulation.

  • Sunday · 10 min

    This 6-Second Debate Clip Could Haunt GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.com Tim Miller takes on two political moments from the weekend that caught his attention. First, he discusses the backlash from a Texas Republican candidate over viral photos of Indian American students celebrating a football game at the University of Texas, and why Republicans should be forced to answer for openly racist rhetoric from a candidate for statewide office.Then Tim turns to the Alaska Senate race and the debate between Mary Peltola and Dan Sullivan. He highlights Peltola’s argument that the Iran war is driving up fuel costs for Alaskan fishermen and families, as well as a viral debate moment when Sullivan has to look to Peltola for his answer during a yes-or-no question. A quick note: The Bulwark isn’t here to protect Democrats, Republicans, or anyone else from criticism. Our members give Tim the freedom to say when someone is right, call b******t when they’re wrong, and go after racism and hatred without worrying about whose side it embarrasses. Join us at https://www.thebulwark.com/join. To get tickets for upcoming Bulwark events—including our show for Springfield, OH—go to https://thebulwark.com/events. Relevant Links:Bo French’s posts about UT students / John Cornyn’s response:https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/cornyn-bo-french-ut-students-tweet-22429931.phpBo French’s previous controversial poll:https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article309580905.htmlAlaska Senate fisheries debate — Mary Peltola vs. Dan Sullivan: https://www.c-span.org/program/campaign-2026/alaska-us-senate-candidates-debate-fisheries-industry/685130Kansas Senate debate — Roger Marshall vs. Adam Hamilton:https://www.kwch.com/2026/09/10/candidates-kansas-governor-us-senate-debate-live-kansas-state-fair/

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